Spirituality of Jane Austen

We will use the lens of spirituality to explore the life of Jane Austen, as well as some of the plots and characters of her novels – and we will find some interesting overlaps! As well as talks and discussions, we will look together at extracts from her novels (written and DVDs), her letters and written prayers. We will discover what being a woman of faith meant to Jane Austen, and how much about the out-workings of faith can be discovered when we look below the surface of her writings.

The Rev Preb Paula Hollingsworth is vicar of three villages on the Mendip Hills, Sub Dean of Wells Cathedral and Dean of Women’s Ministry in Bath and Wells Diocese. Her life-long love of the novels of Jane Austen deepened when she first explored Jane Austen’s Spirituality in her thesis for an MA in Christian Spirituality in 2007. Since then she has lectured and taught widely, and her book The Spirituality of Jane Austen was published in 2017.

Led by: Rev Preb Paula Hollingsworth

Please arrive by 6pm on Friday. Course ends with lunch on Sunday.

We will use the lens of spirituality to explore the life of Jane Austen, as well as some of the plots and characters of her novels – and we will find some interesting overlaps! As well as talks and discussions, we will look together at extracts from her novels (written and DVDs), her letters and written prayers. We will discover what being a woman of faith meant to Jane Austen, and how much about the out-workings of faith can be discovered when we look below the surface of her writings.

The Rev Preb Paula Hollingsworth is vicar of three villages on the Mendip Hills, Sub Dean of Wells Cathedral and Dean of Women’s Ministry in Bath and Wells Diocese. Her life-long love of the novels of Jane Austen deepened when she first explored Jane Austen’s Spirituality in her thesis for an MA in Christian Spirituality in 2007. Since then she has lectured and taught widely, and her book The Spirituality of Jane Austen was published in 2017.

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Special offers:

Multi-purchase: If you book three or more residential courses all at once, Ammerdown will give you 5% discount on the total fees (N.B. this 5% discount does not apply when a bursary has already been agreed)

Extend your stay: Subject to availability, you are welcome to extend your stay before or after your course. If you choose to do so, Ammerdown will give you a 5% discount on our standard ‘Private Stays’ rates: please contact the centre to arrange this.